Jack Antonoff Says Understanding His Health Rituals Is Proof ‘Somebody Really Knows Me’: ‘Not a Germaphobe

The musician has previously shared that his OCD and his younger sister dying of cancer have affected the way he views cleanliness and health

Where his health is concerned, Jack Antonoff has some unique rituals — and he says those who understand and accept them truly know him.

While appearing on NPR’s new podcast, Wild Card, on Thursday, May 30, host Rachel Martin asked Antonoff, 40, “What is proof that somebody really knows you?” and the Grammy-winning producer had a surprising response.

“Proof that somebody really knows me is if they understand my rituals around feeling clean,” he said, adding, “And it’s not basic.”

The Bleachers frontman — whose inner circle consists of stars like close friend Taylor Swift and his wife, Margaret Qualley — elaborated on the rituals further, telling Martin, “My only concern with cleanliness is around my face. You can f—ing put … smear anything on my body.”